This past week was spring break for the Roy family. Some people like to spend their spring breaks in warm, sunny places filled with palm trees and white sand; we went to a frozen lake and stayed in a reportedly haunted mansion-turned-state park in northeastern Ohio.

Despite the less-than-spring-like weather, we had a great time. And because it had been a while since we did an edition of Frugal Wins and Fails, I thought it an opportune time to share the things we — rather, I — did well and not-so-well. Follow along, friends, and learn from my successes and mistakes.

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Frugal win: I got a new swimsuit for free. It’s true! Not a cent came out of our bank account for this purchase thanks to a prepaid Visa card I got from a Staples promotion earlier this year, two printed coupons and two Target gift cards I received from participating in a previous promotion. The suit originally cost more than $40.

Before you go to a store, see what coupons you can find online. Because I knew I’d be going to Target to look for a swimsuit, I got onto the store website and printed off coupons for $3 off a swimsuit purchase and another for 10 percent off. Later that week, we went to Kohl’s to look for shoes for Little Roy. Before we left, I printed a coupon for $10 off a purchase of shoes. It is amazing how much money a few minutes and a bit of research can save you. (Incidentally, now is a good time to nab snow boots. We got a pair for 70 percent off, not counting the coupon and other discounts.)

• Frugal fail:

The reason I had to get my free swimsuit was that I forgot to pack mine. Sadly, it was not the first time and probably not the last. My husband is convinced it’s my ploy to get new swimsuits. It’s not, I promise.

• Frugal win:

Overall, our spring break was budget-friendly. Thanks to an Ohio State Parks promotion wherein children get to stay and eat for free, we secured meal vouchers for Little and Littlest Roy at the Punderson Manor Lodge. Our “entertainment” was largely free, although we ended up getting a few souvenirs. We visited Middletown Swiss Cheese for a quick lesson about where cheese comes from and a few tasty sandwiches, and made another stop at the 174-year-old End of the Commons General Store in Mesopotamia, where we sampled a few jellies and crackers and picked up a larger-than-life lollipop and some blue popcorn.

We learned about real maple syrup at a log cabin in Burton, which dubs itself “Pancake Town, U.S.A.” And, one evening after bedtime, I took in a free haunted history tour at the lodge where we stayed. I came out unscathed and still a skeptic.

Before you go on a trip, research free entertainment in the area — whether it’s historical sights, local attractions, parks or hiking. Also check into rewards programs: While we were staying at Punderson, we signed up for a (free) Ohio State Parks rewards program in which every dollar you spend at a state park — whether lodging, dining or in a gift shop — translates into “points” that you can use to earn free stays.

• Frugal fail:

We got sucked into an advertising ploy, of sorts. As soon as we walked into our room at the lodge, we saw a stuffed raccoon perched on one of the beds, holding in its cute furry paws a little information card about how raccoons live in the area and you might be able to spot one. I always have been a sucker for stuffed animals (my parents can vouch for this), and it didn’t help that Bandit’s tag got “accidentally” ripped off by Little Roy, who also had fallen for its soft fur, adorable ringed tail and sweet “you know you want to take me home” eyes. At first, I thought Bandit might be a free gift with the room, but his card said that if he came home with us, $12 would be added to our room fee.

Needless to say, he has made friends with the other dolls and animals here and fits in quite nicely. You can’t win ’em all.

Overall, I’d declare spring break a success for the Roy family. It certainly wasn’t free — what vacations are? — but it was a nice getaway for a not-too-hefty price tag.

If you have advice about saving on vacation, a frugal living topic or an idea for a future column, please email me at amroy@nncogannett.com. I’d love to hear from you!